Former Patriot happy for shot with Jaguars despite diabetes diagnosis

Bob.Mack@jacksonville.com --5/20/13 -- DT Kyle Love talks to the media after practice. The Jacksonville Jaguars held an Organized Training Activity (OTA) on the Florida Blue Health & Wellness Practice Fields at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, FL. on Monday May 20, 2013. (The Florida Times-Union, Bob Mack)

Following his first workout with the Jaguars since being claimed off waivers last week and before assessing how he’ll fit in with his new team, Kyle Love did some setting-of-the-record business Monday outside EverBank Field.

The Jaguars were more than happy to snap him up after the Patriots gave up on him after four years. He is one of 17 defensive linemen under contract so Love will have to earn his playing time but for a rebuilding run defense, he could have a big role.

“He has some very good tape,” coach Gus Bradley said. “He does a nice job of what we’re going to ask him to do and we’ll try him at different spots.”

Bradley said the coaches met with the Jaguars’ medical staff before adding Love.

“They reviewed it and felt good about the situation and felt like we can get him the care he needs,” Bradley said. “We went through a preliminary meeting [Monday] to talk about what he can and can’t do and the number of reps. We’ll bring him along slowly and get a chance to see him.”

Love adjusted his diet after the diagnosis and feels “10 times better.”

“Since I cut out the sweets and a lot of the carbs, I just have more energy,” he said.

Love said what he misses most is having dessert.

“That was my downfall,” he said. “I can’t eat them now. I was a little bit sad, but I know I have to get my health back up. If I have to cut out everything, so be it.”

The shock of the diagnosis was also sad, but he got over those emotions quickly once the Patriots cut him and the Jaguars picked him up.

“My wife asked me how I felt after the whole thing went down and it was bittersweet,” Love said. “You’re sad, but then you’re happy at the same time. I’m just trying to move on and not really worry about what happened.”

If he finds a niche with the Jaguars, Love will be a post-draft bonus. Love’s role in New England was serving as a two-down run stopper – he excelled at standing up and then shedding blockers to get up the field.

Love, 26, had 65 tackles in 41 games for the Patriots.

“He plays football,” said old/new teammate Brandon Deaderick, who the Jaguars also added from the Patriots last week. “He’s intense, a strong guy, an athletic guy. He’ll really help this team.”

Love is already in Prove-It mode, just like he was after playing at Mississippi State and he made the Patriots as an undrafted free agent.

“I’m very confident because I’m a fighter and I’m a warrior,” he said. “If anything, it will drive me even harder to work. It’s like a plus on my side.”